In 2024, An Taisce, an environmental organisation, bestowed the prestigious Blue Flag upon 94 beaches and marinas across Ireland in recognition of the upcoming bathing season. Of the 85 sites that had received this honour in 2023, 82 successfully retained their Blue Flag status. However, three locations – Rush South beach in Dublin’s Fingal county, Ballymoney North beach in Wexford county, and Tramore in Waterford county – were unable to maintain the high standards required and consequently had the blue flag removed.
The Blue Flag programme evaluates these sites based on the “excellent” quality of their bathing waters as identified in the latest yearly classification. Unfortunately, due to the pollution caused by intestinal enterococci bacteria, Rush and Tramore failed to uphold their “excellent” status. Similarly, Ballymoney’s quality deteriorated due to E.coli contamination. The pollution in these cases is believed to have originated from mismanaged wastewater disposal, incorrectly connected sewage systems, agricultural waste runoff, defective septic tanks or dog waste.
However, the existing yearly classification for all three beaches currently stands at “good”, representing the second-best category. This assessment was determined through evaluating water samples collected between 2020 and 2023.
A record 70 beaches were honoured with the Green Coast Award for 2024, recognising their unspoiled environments, high water quality, and natural beauty. These recognized locations are considered as excellent destinations to appreciate the rich and diverse coastal heritage of Ireland.
In 2024, Blue Flags have been awarded to three new beaches – Bettystown beach in Meath county, Enniscrone Beach in Sligo county, and Traught in Kinvara in Galway county; all three of which had not earned this honour in the previous year.
In the meanwhile, nine of the ten marinas that had secured a Blue Flag in 2023 managed to keep their status for another year. However, the Donegal County Council withdrew the Blue Flag from the Greencastle marina in July 2023 owing to construction works on a breakwater that called for the temporary closure of the marina.
A commendable total of ten beaches have received the prestigious blue flag and green coast awards. These include Fountainstown and Inchydoney East in Cork County; Balcarrick, Donabate in Fingal; Silverstrand and Salthill in Galway City; Trá Inis Oírr’s primary beach in Galway County; Baile an Sceilg in Kerry County; Rosses Point and Enniscrone in Sligo; and Bettystown in Meath County.
The blue flag programme is a renowned global eco-tag initiative that champions environmentally conscious procedures in the upkeep of beaches, maritime locations, and eco-tourist vessels.
Conversely, the green coast awards honour the remarkable contributions of coastal groups typified by numerous volunteer-led initiatives involved in communal cleaning procedures.
An Taisce heads the green coast award supported by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and Fáilte Ireland.
Minister of State Hildegarde Naughton presented the awards for 2024 in a ceremony located in Galway, with a view overlooking the Salthill blue flag beach on a Monday. She made the announcement that as we approach the season of swimming and bathing, a record-breaking total of 70 beaches have earned the green coast award. She underlined the unparalleled richness and beauty of the natural ecosystem of our shores.
An Taisce’s environmental education director, Cathy Baxter, praised the relentless effort of local authorities, marina operators, and clean-coast organisations in ensuring that the beaches attained the excellent benchmarks set by the blue flag and green coast awards.
With a focus on fostering environmental mindfulness and promoting effective environmental management of beaches, the green coast programme has developed certain standards. Beaches and marinas meeting these set criteria regarding water quality, information availability, environmental education, safety protocols, and applicable site management over the bathing period are eligible for this accolade.